DEKALB, Ill. – Second-year head coach Julie Colhoff and the Northern Illinois University women's soccer team began preseason training on Friday (Aug. 9). The Huskies will play the first of two exhibition contests next Friday, August 16, when they travel to Eastern Illinois. NIU will host Chicago State on Sunday, August 18 at 5 p.m., in its final exhibition and one week later, on Sunday, August 25, the Huskies will kickoff the 2019 regular season at defending Horizon League champion Milwaukee.  

Prior to Friday's first practice, NIUHuskies.com caught up with Colhoff to discuss the beginning of preseason. 

What are your thoughts heading into preseason for year two?

I am really excited, this season what I am looking forward to seeing is building on the foundation that we were able to establish, both in the fall but especially in the spring season. We are looking forward to seeing our returners teach that to the freshmen, how everyone embraces it and showing the growth that we have had. 

Is it easier to prepare for year two than it was for year one? 

It is definitely different. I don't know that it is easier as much as it is just different, it allows us to focus on other things a little bit more, which will be beneficial long-term for us. 

What are the most important things you want to implement with your team before the beginning of the regular season?

In general, the biggest thing is making sure that everyone is on the same page, whether that is style, tactics, teamwork, culture. It is getting that cohesive unit that is ready to work together, battle together and sees (the game) through the same soccer lenses. 

What did you learn about the MAC in your first season?

What is so cool about the MAC is that it is a really competitive conference. Very often the games can go either way, establishing yourself early on is important and getting those early wins. (Last year) seeing who made the tournament came down to the very last games, so for me it is about getting the job done, as soon and as often as you can. 

What was the biggest thing that you have seen from your team since the end of last season and through the spring season? 

Probably the biggest thing has been healing, we had a lot of unfortunate injuries in the fall that worked against us to some degree. Seeing those players come back, some that I had never had a chance to see in games, now playing is a big thing coming into this season that we built on in the spring. Continuing to fine tune our style of play, digging into some of the things that we had to just find "Band-Aid" fixes for in the fall. Then also culturally was a big thing, getting the accountability up, the buy in and making sure everyone was on the same page and working toward the same goal. 

What do you think the strengths of your team will be this year?

I think we have a lot of experience now for a number of players, because of the injuries (last season). They have big minutes logged, so that will work in our favor. Our freshmen class coming in will add not only depth but will compete for playing time right away. We have four forwards coming in that have put the ball in the net many times before, so I'm hoping that can carry on when they step on the field for us. I think mainly it will be the willingness to work together, the willingness to execute the tactics and stick to the game plan. We talk a lot about not just trusting the process but working for the process, so that will be a big thing for us. 

Women's soccer grabbed a lot of attention this summer due to the Women's World Cup and the success the U.S. had; do you see any carryover from that to college soccer?

It's funny you ask that because I was just rewatching the World Cup Final (Tuesday night) and I was still getting goosebumps and emotional watching it. For all of us in college soccer, and on the women's side specifically, there is that excitement of watching that so recently and watching a team dominate the way the U.S. did, with all eyes on them. I think you carry that excitement into the season and every team is probably coming in ready to go.

From a fan standpoint, walking around the department and having basketball coaches, baseball coaches or whoever ask about soccer, there is a buzz about the game and for the recognition that these women can play and people want to watch them. I'm pretty excited about that and I think that we need to ride that wave.